Marchant de Lange comes in as reserve for Dale Steyn

NAGPUR: The South African team management has roped in pacer Marchant de Lange in reserve for the injured Dale Steyn, who is likely to miss the upcoming third test against India on November 25th.

The team management said that Lange was brought in as cover for Dale Steyn who is currently suffering with groin injury. South Africa team coach Russel Domingo said, “We have taken the decision keeping in mind the fitness of Dale Steyn. We are not sure whether he will be fit by the end of the third test or not. Currently we have only three pacers in Rabada, Abbott and Morkel who are physically fit. We’ve got Marchant de Lange as a reserve, if in case one of these three pacers are injured”.

Marchant de Lange has been a member of the squad which won the T20 and ODI series against India last month. However, he had played only two tests since his debut in 2011.

Coach Domingo explaining the rational behind Lange’s selection said, “Pace is the biggest strength of Lange. We have confidence in his ability. He will turn into a match winner for you, if the balls starts to reverse swing. He may be a bit inconsistent in the recent times but we believe that he will be important for us in the sub-continent pitches”.

“It is a matter of one good day for him to prove. After all, Guys who can bowl at a speed of 150 Kmph are always an asset to teams”, he added.

The pacer who has just turned 25, will be practising alongside his South African team-mates to gear up for the third test against India.

India are leading the four match test series with 1-0 after the second test at Bengaluru resulted in a draw, the Cricbuzz reported.